February, 2005

A message from Glenn Rogers - NACAA President

The Regional JCEP Professional Improvement Conferences were excellent with over 100 NACAA members from across the country attending these important sessions. The state leadership teams in attendance learned about the federal budget process, the proposed 2006 federal budget, and how your work with County Commissioners, state legislators, and federal offices is so important to the future of our Association and to Cooperative Extension. In addition, your individual state leadership teams had an opportunity to learn the latest about NACAA, and how its evolving and changing to meet your changing needs. What a tremendous joy and privilege to see such great leadership and hear about innovative programs across the country. Nice job.

NACAA continues to work with our sponsors and others to increase the Professional Improvement opportunities for its membership both at the AM/PIC and at other times throughout the year. In just about a month you will hear about a new format at the AM/PIC entitled "Trade Talks". We are excited about this innovative idea and looking forward to seeing you in Buffalo. Save the dates: July 17 - 21, 2005.

In this issue of the E-County Agent is the latest on the NACAA Committee Chair and Vice Chair information, a reminder on the Pinnacle Award, Service to America/World Agriculture, and some additional deadlines. Read the tremendous article about what it means to be involved with a Professional Improvement organization and share with prospective
members.

Check out Dan Downing's update on the national Outstanding Young Farmer program in Modesto, California. What great publicity for NACAA and wonderful relationships with the urban public.

Finally, don't forget PILD in just a short six weeks in Washington, D. C. A great way to tell your story to the federal legislative body. Interested: go to http://www.jcep.org Early registration deadline is March 1st !

Glenn

Friendly Reminders:

National Chairs/Vice Chairs

Just a reminder that we are down to the last few days for interested NACAA members to send in their applications for National Chairs and Vice Chairs. March 1st is the deadline.

Application forms can be found on the NACAA web site at:
http://www.nacaa.com/committees/ - just scroll down the page a ways!
Also refer to page 35 of the January 2005 County Agent magazine for a listing of which regions can apply for which committees this year.

Awards Applications

Pinnacle Award/Service to American/World Agriculture

Membership Dues

Become Involved:

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH

This time of the year it seems like everyone is asking for dues! Whether it be a civic club, non-governmental organization, professional fraternity, or professional organization, it seems they all are asking you to pay up your annual dues which are likely already past due. So why should I pay the dues and be a member? What's in it for me? In orientation for extension agents, Dr. Richard Wootton, former Associate Director for Extension, would emphasize getting involved within your community beyond your assigned work duties. He told many of you to find a civic, religious, or community organization for which to become involved so that you get to know the community and the community gets to know you beyond your professional role. That is very savvy advice for us all, and hopefully you are doing that.

What about all the professional societies, fraternities, and organizations? I first have to ask, "do you consider yourself a professional?" A professional organization brings together individuals with similar professional interests and varied experiences to share with each other. Paying your dues is not about what the society or organization brings to you, but what you contribute to the profession. As a new employee in the profession, the professional organization offers the opportunity to learn from others. It moves you out of isolation into a support network of professionals, if you let it. As a more seasoned employee, your organization offers contemporary review and renewal along with the leadership roles you can and must take. It keeps you from becoming stagnant and stale in your professional work. You will get new ideas of ways to do your work. It offers a means to be involved with other professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills within your profession.

I am an advocate for a professional to be active in at least one professional society. I also advocate for an extension professional to be a part of Epsilon Sigma Phi. If you believe yourself to be a professional, you are obligated to seek ways to continue your development and grow. As an extension professional, being a part of your professional society should be an automatic; being a part of Epsilon Sigma Phi should be your goal.

In summary, if you aren't getting the worth out of your dues, make a commitment to do so. It's really up to you to get out of your professional organizations what you are putting into them. As a professional, you have that obligation.

--Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu

Directors Corner

Southern Region

The Southern Region JCEP Officers Workshop had 114 Extension Professionals attending the meeting in Nashville, Tennessee on February 17-19. NACAA had 35 agents attend, with all thirteen states of the region represented. At the association meeting President Rogers reported to the members on the plans for the 2005 AM/PIC in Buffalo. He also spoke about the evaluation of the 2004 AM/PIC in Orlando and the work of the AM/PIC Review Committee, and some changes to the 2005 AM/PIC as a result of the Review Committee's work. President-Elect Cummings reported on the status of the donor/sponsor funding for the 2005 AM/PIC. During the state reports, the states indicated that the Southern Region would have approximately 500 in attendance for the 2005 AM/PIC in Buffalo. During the Director's report, Directors Collum and Riddell review with the members the duties and responsibilities of state committee chairs and vice-chairs. President Rogers also reported on the work and the members of the Futuring Committee and what this committee is charged with doing. Vice-Director Henry Dorough gave a report on "The County Agent" magazine and the "E-County Agent". Vice-Director James Devillier report to the members on the need to use all promotional and display material to promote new membership to the association, he also reported on the need to utilize the NACAA merchandise to promote the association, especially the NACAA knives.

Elmo Collum
Mississippi State University Extension Service
Pesticide Education Coordinator
1320 Seven springs Road
Raymond, MS. 39154
601-857-2284
601-857-2358 Fax

North Central Region

Several states in the north central region communicate with their members by way of a newsletter. In this age of electronic communication, newsletters are quick, effective, and economically feasible.

Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio, just to mention a few, do a good job with their newsletter. They use it to inform the members of state and national activities, leadership opportunities, and award winners, as well as bits of other informative information.

Most of these state newsletters are available at their state web site. You can access a state's web site by going to nacaa.com then linking to the state if it is an active link.

Check it out, and see what other states are doing!

It's last call for membership dues. If your state needs assistance with membership recruiting or retainment, contact your regional vice director. He or she may be able to share ideas with you that have worked in other states.

Mike Christian
North Central Region Director, NACAA
1007 Throckmorton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-5833
mchristi@oznet.ksu.edu

PILD Conference Registration

If you are planning to attend PILD (which we encourage you do to) - please go to http://www.jcep.org for Registration Forms.

Early Bird Registration Deadline March 1, 2005
Regular Registration Deadline April 1, 2005
Late registration After April 1, 2005
Confirmations and additional information will be e-mailed to registrants.
Option 1 - Register On-line at www.jcep.org
Option 2 - Mail your completed form to:

JCEP
1235-E East Blvd., #213
Charlotte, NC 28203

Through participation in the Public Issues Leadership Conference attendees will:

• Broaden understanding of public policy issues that impact Extension and Extension
  clientele across the nation.
• Enhance public policy education skills through first hand experiences.
• Learn how the changing political environment affects support for Extension.
• Build political and public support for Extension through consistent and targeted communication with decision-makers.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and build new linkages at the local, state and federal levels.
• Visit with federal legislators and observe the political process in action.

NATIONAL OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMER CONGRESS

Submitted by Dan Downing, University of Missouri Extension, Vice Chair North Central Region Ag & Public Relations Committee

For the past 49 years the U.S. Jaycees have sponsored the National Outstanding Young Farmers Congress. Chuck Schwartau (NACAA Treas.) and I were afforded the opportunity to attend this wonderful event held in Modesto, California Feb. 9 - 13, 2005.
Throughout the week congress participants were afforded a myriad of developmental opportunities including: presentations, tours, and networking. A few the highlights included: A visit to the World Ag Expo near Tulare, Ca, presentations by: Sharon Page a registered respiratory therapist from Michigan, Dean (Dino) Cortopassi owner of Stanislaus foods, and John Kautz owner of Ironstone Winery. All are alumni of the Outstanding Young Farmers program. Cortopassi and Kautz also provided tours and hosted the group at their facilities in/or near the San Joaquin Valley. Chuck Schwartau of Minnesota Extension addressing the group kicking off the final day of the event.

Next years 50th anniversary congress will be hosted at the home of the primary corporate partner, John Deere in Moline, Illinois. This year almost one half of the National participants were nominated by a County Agent. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you as members of NACAA to make sure an outstanding young farmer from your state is nominated and given the opportunity to participate in this outstanding event. There are two avenues for nomination. One is through the local Jaycees organization the other is through your state County Agents organization. For nomination forms or other details please visit the Jaycees web site at: www.usjaycees.org.

This is a golden opportunity for NACAA to recognize young farmers as well as garner recognition for NACAA through this program. The program is truly an energizing, positive, networking program that provided the opportunity for our emerging agricultural leaders to rub shoulders with the Who's Who of American Agriculture.

Past NACAA Secretary John K. Wells Passes

John K. Wells of North Fairfield, OH died Saturday Feb., 5, 2005 in Fisher-Titus Medical center of a brief illness. John served as NACAA Secretary in 1978. He worked for the Huron County Extension for 30 years - and retired several years ago. He was also a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Navy (Asiatic-Pacific Theatre) for 4 years. John was a past president of the Ohio County Extension Agents Association and received the DSA Award from NACAA. John was a coordinator and held many positions with the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and was the Alzheimer's Coordinator since 1996 for 51 chapters of Ohio NARFE. Memorials may be made to the American Alzheimer's Association in care of Audrey J. Eastham, NARFE and can be sent to his wife Emilie at 808 New State Road, South, North Fairfield, OH 44855-9603. Emilie is doing fine - yet would like to hear from those who would like to write.

Soybean Checkoff Remains on the Front Lines in the Battle Against Rust

Soybean farmers may have another disease in their fields next year, but fortunately their checkoff has already been working on ways to manage it. Through the soybean checkoff, U.S. farmers have been investing in research aimed at controlling soybean rust since it was first identified in Brazil in 2001. In fact, the soybean checkoff has funded most of the research conducted on soybean rust to date.

"While the implications of soybean rust in the United States are a frustration for farmers, it's a problem we have been preparing for through our soybean checkoff for several years now," said United Soybean Board (USB) Production Chair Jim Sallstrom, a soybean farmer from Winthrop, Minn. "We knew rust would enter the U.S. eventually. Whether it's funding research to develop resistant varieties or educating farmers about what to do if they suspect rust in their fields, our soybean checkoff is prepared to help all U.S. soybean farmers in their fight against rust."

Currently, the soybean checkoff is focused on building its current research to screen varieties for resistance to rust, and developing effective management recommendations for controlling rust until rust-resistant varieties are available.

Through funding provided by the soybean checkoff, USDA scientists have already screened more than 20,000 lines of U.S. and exotic germplasm for resistance to rust and have found about 700 lines that show at least partial resistance. The checkoff is also funding research that aims to move the genes identified for resistance or tolerance into elite soybean varieties. Since 2001, the soybean checkoff has also invested in the development of management recommendations to control rust in the short-term. Through checkoff-funded meetings and workshops, rust experts, funded by the soybean checkoff, have educated plant pathologists, agronomists, extension agents and others about soybean rust and how to diagnose and treat the disease.

For more information on checkoff efforts to fight soybean rust, visit www.unitedsoybean.org or www.stopsoybeanrust.com.